Chicago Life

COTA Expands Weekend Service

COTA is once again expanding service beginning January 1st 2010. New service extends weekend hours, adding two new line-ups on both Saturday and Sunday.

Currently the last downtown line-up is at 10pm. The new service adds both and 11pm and 12am departures in all directions. On Sunday as well, two new line-ups are added at 8pm and 9pm. Previously the last Sunday departure was between 6pm and 7pm depending upon the route.

The downtown line-up is when all busses arrive, wait for transfers, then depart. It is an effective method of ensuring that customers have access to connecting busses and helps COTA re-set any schedule fluctuations that have occurred.

Fares also increase beginning January 1st. One-way single fare local will be $1.75 up from $1.50 and monthly passes increase to $55 up from $45. The last fare increase took place in 2006 however a tax levy of 0.25% passed in 2006 offered COTA additional revenue to increase service. However, the recession has led to reduced spending and thus reduced tax revenues for COTA.

The extended services on the weekend routes offer tremendous potential for Columbus residents and businesses. Venues such as the Arena District and Short North are now accessible without the need for a taxi after 10p which is often about the time the fun gets started on a Saturday night. Visitors to Nationwide Arena and Huntington Park can now travel via COTA following hockey and baseball games and concerts, which should help alleviate congestion.

Sunday’s service extension is a benefit to both retailers and employees, offering greater access to all parts of the city to more people. Adding almost three additional hours of transit access on Sunday increases the employment opportunities for most Columbus residents.

From a personal standpoint, these service additions make it almost possible to eliminate the car for the sake of commuting to work. There is only one instance now where I would have to use the car, whereas in the past, I had to calculate my schedule precisely and any delay would have meant the need for a taxi. That potential led me to drive more often, just in case. That worry is eliminated with the extended COTA service.